Speaking truth to power
Do you believe the bulletins?
BBC Photo sales
-BBC television remains first class even if new programmes are rather thin on the ground. Unfortunately, BBC News is bringing the wider BBC into disrepute, be it doctoring film or political bias. I realise accusations come from all sides but its reporting of Gaza has been completely one-sided.
Ad
The BBC must be allowed to continue as our principal public service broadcaster but government interference must be removed and a completely independent body set up to agree the licence fee, top management appointments and keep an eye on impartiality.
Darryl Sugg
Surrey
I’ve always had great faith in the BBC presentation of the news. I accept there’s a degree of editorial bias but that’s present everywhere; you only have to look at the newspapers. The incident with President Trump that caused a stir was unfortunate, but as far as him demanding compensation for damaging his reputation, I can only hope that any court that may have to deal with this case treats it with the derision it deserves. I feel that the recent resignations were unfortunate and that BBC management should stand its ground in the face of these complaints, not just throw in the towel and let these bullies win.
Alan Ashman
Sedgley, West Midlands
I no longer trust the BBC News, news-related panels or talk shows because there are clear biases (anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian), and it has effectively given Nigel Farage and the Reform Party the publicity, platform and popularity it has today. This has directly affected current British parliamentary policy and all of the country’s media. Unforgivable. Other points:
- It remains a male-dominated institution from the upper echelons of management down.
- It now produces far too much dumbed-down, intellectually insulting content for entertainment, instead of education and information.
- It has far too much coverage of the royal family. Seriously, most people don’t care.
- History programmes rarely touch on the realities of British Empire in its colonies.
- Far too much cooking.
- Far too few presenters from outside the south east.
- Deeply damaging handling of the Trump footage.
- Smug.
K Kemra
Via email
We must not be a country where every news outlet is influenced by those with money or who wish to influence politics for their own gain. We are not that country; we must not become that country.
Sharon Fawcitt
Winchester
I rely on the BBC for many things and would feel lost without being able to tune into Radio 3 or 4 and their excellent programmes (and without being bombarded with adverts). I trust the BBC to provide an accurate, comprehensive report of the news. It’s made mistakes but we need to protect the excellent work this organisation does.
Pauline Meadows
Whetstone, London
The BBC is stuck in a mess of its own making. For a start it could try making programmes people want to watch, rather than what the BBC thinks is popular. So, for drama, please no more Death in Paradise, Return to Paradise, “Forgetting Paradise” or any other spin-offs. More of Blue Lights, Shetland and Line of Duty. Doctor Who has been an absolute mess. Strictly Come Dancing is a disaster with allegations of misconduct. Put it to sleep now.
It’s not all bad. BBC News is excellent. Yes, in a world of fake news, the BBC can be trusted to tell you the facts of the matter.
Andrew Garvey
Enfield, London
Police procedural drama Line of Duty was a ratings hit for the BBC. BBC
I do trust the BBC reporting and think, in general, it has the right balance. However, I often think the TV News at 6pm fails to cover world news adequately. I also suspect there’s been intent recently to undermine the BBC because its reporting doesn’t suit certain groups. Its demise would be a huge, unpardonable loss. It’s one of the things that make me proud to be British. I’m happy to pay the licence fee and think this is the best system.
Carole Herbstritt
Edinburgh
The BBC continues to play a vital role in our national life. I don’t object to the licence fee and consider it good value for money. However, the Board needs to get a grip. Programming that justifies the licence includes a wide range of documentaries, news and current affairs, classical music and sports (though we seem to be losing sport to the highest bidder). Perhaps the arrival of a new director-general provides an opportunity to address some unfortunate policy decisions that have arisen in recent years. For example:
- Return Newsnight to a running time of 45 minutes. The current, shorter format is rushed and, all too often, we hear the refrain “Sorry, we’ve run out of time” in the middle of an important discussion.
- The big advantage of BBC over commercial channels used to be that there were no adverts. Now the end of every programme is ruined by noisy, repetitive trailers that take chunks out of the next item. These are just as annoying as commercial advertisements. My mute button is worn out.
- Every few weeks, letters in the Radio Times Feedback pages complain about intrusive soundtracks on documentaries, drowning out the presenter. Yet they continue unabated.
- I strongly object to being ordered to watch everything on iPlayer. How about “You may be interested to watch this on iPlayer”? Much more polite and less antagonistic.
Dr Philip H Smith MBE
Formby, Merseyside
It’s vitally important that the BBC be maintained in its present form, keeping all the requirements that are statutory within its Charter, including its independence and investigative journalism. It should be protected from further dumbing down of its output, which has been detectable in recent years.
The corollary to all this, of course, is that the BBC should be more conscientious and vigilant in sticking strictly to its official remit and avoid creating incidents like the present altercation with President Trump and the disturbing unsatisfactory personal behaviour of some of its leading employees that brings the Corporation into disrepute and jeopardises its future.
Ad
David Thompson
Hastings,
East Sussex
Ad
Ad
Subscribe for £1 per week
Too much to watch this autumn? Let Radio Times magazine and app do the choosing, with expert picks across TV, streaming and film.
Ad